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Carson City Cops and Kids open house lives up to its 'safest party on the street' reputation

With sunny skies, a gentle breeze and plenty of children and their parents, the 10th annual Cops and Kids open house, hosted by the Carson City Sheriff's Office on Saturday, lived up to its reputation as the safest party on the street.

More than 2,000 attended the four-hour event, which featured games, prizes and demonstrations by Carson City Sheriff's Office patrol officers and personnel. The event is designed for children and their parents to get quality meet-and-greet face time with law enforcement personnel.

"As we continue to build positive relationships with our youth, it is important to realize the strength of bond established at very early ages," said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong. "For a young boy or girl to be able to identify with an officer by their first name, barriers are reduced and trust with confidence is built.”

And with the Nevada Highway Patrol moving some of its personnel into the Sheriff's Office on Musser Street, the event provided NHP a venue to get better acquainted with children and parents in the neighborhood.

"Reaching out to the community and kids at an early age and being able to tell them that we are here to help them if they ever need our help is really important," said NHP Trooper Barbara Stapleton. "These kids are our future. And one day they will be taking care of us."

A free hot dog lunch provided by Grocery Outlet was available for everyone, and for the first time, every single hot dog of the more than 2,000 cooked by the Carson City Kiwanis Club, was eaten. More than 450 prizes were awarded courtesy of DARE and open house sponsors.

Cops and Kids sheriff’s Open house began as an effort to give back to the community and is partially funded by Justice Assistance Grant.

It has grown and gained tremendous community support over the years, with sponsors having stepped in to defray costs. Grocery Outlet donates hot dogs, buns and beverages. Kemp’s Fun Jumpers provides the bounce house. Northern Nevada Coin, The Downtown Business Association, Benson’s Feed, Liz’s Biz, Dan Kimm Rock It Productions, Harcourts NV-1 Realty, Carson City Kiwanis Club, American Family Insurance, Jamba Juice and Carson Now all donate or provide services to help minimize the cost, said DARE Officer and organizer Lisa Davis.

“Our local business community really makes this happen. Year after year our sponsors have come back to help and this year, we've even gotten some new sponsors," Davis said.

Local agencies and law enforcement personnel help make this event a success by conducting hands-on activities. Local agencies including the Partnership Carson City, Y.I.E.L.D., Boys and Girls Club of Northern Nevada, Mentor Center, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Cub Scouts, U.N.R. Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development, Food for Thought, Carson City Health and Human Services and the American Lung Association were among this year's participants.

Youth fun and activities continue Sunday at the The Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada kickoff Carson City summer party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free community barbecue will feature a Bounce house, games and activities, parent membership orientations and discounted memberships.

The Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada is located at 1870 Russell Way in Carson City.

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The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the state’s contentious “ghost gun” ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the law banning the sale of unfinished frames and receivers of a firearm was unconstitutionally vague.

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Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

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MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

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Carson Area MPO

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Photo courtesy of Friend of the Nevada State Railroad Museum

The Carson City Historical Society hosts Adam Michalski, who will present a talk called "The Railroad and Carson City," on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts Historic House located at 1207 Carson Street, Carson City.

Carson City Community Development Director Hope Sullivan encourages all residents, business owners, and visitors to participate in the Land Use Master Plan Update Virtual Meeting on Thursday, April 18, at 5 p.m. More information about access to the meeting can be found at envisioncarsoncity.org.